Method and apparatus for forming a vehicle window assembly using induction soldering

ABSTRACT

Induction soldering via an assembly fixture is utilized to bond one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window to form a vehicle window assembly. A method of operating the assembly fixture to bond the one or more items of hardware to a vehicle window by induction soldering is also an aspect of the invention.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is claiming the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e), of theprovisional application filed Dec. 27, 2012 under 35 U.S.C. 111 (b)which was granted Ser. No. 61/746,179. This provisional application ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for bonding anitem to a substrate. More particularly, the invention relates to bondingan item of hardware to a glass substrate by induction soldering,utilizing an assembly fixture.

Induction heating for soldering has been described in the patentliterature, for example:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,449 describes a fixture for applying discreteadhesive-backed articles to a support surface through the use ofinduction heat. Aligning and positioning means are associated with thefaces of U-shaped cores to keep the end faces of the core in abuttingrelationship with the article being heated, but is said to permit thearticle and core combination to move slightly in a compound direction toaccommodate support surface variations or curvature.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,977,527 describes a fixture for an induction brazingstation including a removable front plate on which a work piece holderis mounted. The base of the induction unit mounts to a back plate lyingcoplanar with the front plate on the work surface. The coil of theinduction unit is uniquely matched to the front plate and the work pieceholder. The induction coil removably mounts to the front plate when notin use such that the front plate may be removed from the work surfacewith the work piece holder and coil mounted thereon. A different frontplate may then be mounted upon the work surface having a different coilconfiguration and work piece holder.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,849,837 describes a method for using magnetic fields toheat magnetically susceptible materials within and/or adjacent toadhesives so as to bond, bind or fasten solid materials to one another.The system uses alternating magnetic fields that induce eddy currentsand generate heat within susceptors. An induction heating tool is usedto emit the magnetic field at its work coil and an electronic controllermeasures the energy being used by a power converter that generates thealternating current driving the work coil which creates the magneticfield.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,299,401 describes an apparatus and a method of usinginduction heating to solder an item of hardware to a glass substrate,wherein the glass substrate is preferably a vehicle window, thesubstrate and bonded items(s) of hardware forming a vehicle windowassembly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for bonding anitem to a substrate. More particularly, the invention relates to bondingan item of hardware to a glass substrate by induction solderingutilizing an assembly fixture.

A vehicle window typically has two major surfaces and a peripheral edgeportion. The two major surfaces are herein identified as major inner andmajor outer surfaces. An electrically conductive material, such as aconductive ceramic frit is typically disposed on one or morepredetermined areas of the major inner surface of the vehicle window.

An assembly fixture has a major surface on which various components formaking the vehicle window assembly may be mounted, such as: one or moreresilient vertical gaseous positioning members, one or more inductioncoil assemblies, one or more fixed or movable x-y positioning membersand one or more movable assembly aids. The one or more assembly aidshave one or more items of hardware disposed therein. Typically, theitems of hardware have a predetermined amount of solder disposedthereon.

In the method according to the invention, when a glass substrate such asa vehicle window is placed on the assembly fixture, the major outersurface of the vehicle window faces the major component mounting surfaceof the assembly fixture. To ensure that the vehicle window is properlypositioned on the assembly fixture, the one or more x-y positioningmembers are utilized, and then, preferably, a negative gaseous pressureis exerted through the one or more resilient vertical gaseouspositioning members to draw the major outer surface of the vehiclewindow into intimate contact therewith through movement in a zdirection. In this positioning process, the one or more induction coilassemblies will be positioned proximate, but preferably not in intimatecontact with, the major outer surface of the vehicle window. Inparticular, it is desirable that the one or more induction coilassemblies is/are positioned opposite the one or more portions of themajor inner surface of the vehicle window on which the electricallyconductive material has preferably been disposed.

Sequentially or simultaneously, the one or more induction coilassemblies are energized to selectively direct one or moreelectromagnetic fields into the one or more predetermined areas of thevehicle window whereon the electrically conductive material has beendisposed, causing heating thereof by heating substantially through thethickness of the glass comprising the vehicle window, and the one ormore assembly aids are activated so as to move into a predeterminedposition proximate the one or more heated areas of the major innersurface of the vehicle window.

From the assembly aid positioned proximate the major inner surface ofthe vehicle window, one or more items of hardware are discharged so asto come into bonding contact with the one or more heated areas of themajor inner surface of the vehicle window. Alternatively, oradditionally, the one or more items of hardware may be heated by the oneor more induction coil assemblies. The one or more heated areas of themajor inner surface of the vehicle window and/or the item of hardware tobe bonded will be heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the solderdisposed on the one or more items of hardware. The method of heating theone or more predetermined areas of the major inner surface of thevehicle window by the one or more induction coil assemblies locatedproximate the major outer surface of the vehicle window has been foundto improve, among other things, the effective bonded area between theitem of hardware and the major inner surface of the vehicle windowcompared to known bonding methods.

The one or more induction coil assemblies are then de-energized,allowing the vehicle window to cool and the molten solder to solidify,creating the desired bonding of the item of hardware to the major innersurface of the vehicle window. The vehicle window is then released fromits position on the assembly fixture and a vehicle window assembly withone or more items of hardware bonded thereon is ready for additionalprocessing, or for installation in a vehicle.

In a preferred configuration, the one or more assembly aids is acomponent of a rotatable assembly such that the assembly aid moves in anarc-like path from its at-rest position to its position proximate themajor inner surface of the vehicle window, where it may discharge theone or more items of hardware disposed therein into bonding contact withthe one or more predetermined areas of the major inner surface of thevehicle window, as previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description when considered in the light of the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembly fixture according to theinvention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the assembly fixture according to theinvention with a vehicle window disposed on the assembly fixture.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an induction coil assembly accordingto the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a movable assembly aid according tothe invention.

FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembly fixture with theassembly aid movable relative to the vehicle window disposed on theassembly fixture according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an induction coil assemblyaccording to the invention.

FIG. 7 a shows a plan view of a hardware holding member with an item ofhardware contained therein.

FIG. 7 b shows a cross-sectional view of the same hardware holdingmember as shown in FIG. 7 a and a system of negative gaseous pressurewhich can be used to hold an item of hardware in place in the hardwareholding member according to the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a hardware holding member and amechanical means which may be utilized to mechanically push an item ofhardware from the hardware holding member via the one or more recessesthrough the hardware holding member according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for bonding anitem to a substrate. More particularly, the invention relates to bondingan item of hardware 8 to a glass substrate by induction soldering,utilizing an assembly fixture 10.

A vehicle window 12 is typically made of glass. A vehicle window 12typically also has two major surfaces (14, 16) and a surroundingperipheral edge portion 18. The two major surfaces (14, 16) are hereinidentified as the major inner surface 14 and major outer surface 16. Anelectrically conductive material 20, such as an electrically conductiveceramic frit, preferably containing an electrically conductive metal,for example silver, is disposed on one or more predetermined areas ofthe major inner surface 14 of the vehicle window 12 by any known method,for example, by screen printing.

An assembly fixture 10 such as shown in FIG. 1 is the preferredapparatus to form a vehicle window assembly according to the invention.A base plate 22, having a major component mounting surface 24,preferably has mounted thereon:

-   -   one or more resilient vertical gaseous positioning members 26        located so as to evenly support a vehicle window 12 a        predetermined substantially uniform vertical distance above the        major component mounting surface 24, the one or more resilient        gaseous positioning members 26 preferably being connected to a        source of positive and/or negative gaseous pressure (not shown);    -   one or more induction coil assemblies 28 which include a base        member 30 mounted to the major component mounting surface 24,        one or more induction coils 32 attached to the base member 30        and preferably extending a predetermined substantially uniform        vertical distance above such base member 30;    -   at least one non-abrasive material 34 preferably covering the        portion of the induction coil 32 which is proximate a major        outer surface 16 of the vehicle window 12 when such vehicle        window 12 is placed on the assembly fixture 10, more        particularly, in contact with the one or more resilient vertical        gaseous positioning members 26;    -   one or more assembly aids 36 which preferably include: a base        plate 37 mounted to the major component mounting surface 24, at        least one bearing mount 38 attached to the base plate 37, a        rotatable shaft 40 extending through the at least one bearing        mount 38, the rotatable shaft 40 also extending through a second        end 42 of at least one support arm 44, at least one hardware        holding member 46 attached to a first end of the at least one        support arm 44, the hardware holding member 46 having one or        more hardware retention recesses 50 formed therein and one or        more openings 52 extending through the hardware retention recess        50 and preferably connected to a source of positive and/or        negative gaseous pressure 53, the rotatable shaft 40 being        connected to a motor 54 of any suitable kind, for example, an        electric motor.

The operation of the components of the assembly fixture 10 is controlledby one or more electronic controllers (not shown) of any suitableconventional type(s). Such controllers are connected to a source ofelectric power by any suitable conventional means.

The base plate 22 of the assembly fixture 10 having the major componentmounting surface 24 may be any suitable geometric shape, but ispreferably square or rectangular, and may be made from any suitablematerial, but is preferably a metal such as aluminum.

The one or more resilient vertical gaseous positioning members 26 can bemounted in any suitable location on the major component mounting surface24, but are preferably located so as to securely support the vehiclewindow 12 at a uniform height relative to the major component mountingsurface 24. The vertical gaseous positioning member 26 includes avertical support portion 56 and a resilient contact portion 58. Thevertical support portion 56 is preferably a hollow tube of apredetermined length made from a durable and dimensionally stablematerial such as a metal. The resilient contact portion 58 is typicallyconnected to an upper end of the vertical support portion 56 and, when avehicle window 12 is placed on the assembly fixture 10, is in intimatecontact with a portion of, typically the major outer surface 16 of, thevehicle window 12. As the vehicle window 12 is usually made from glass,which can be scratched, the resilient contact portion 58 is desirablymade from a flexible, non-abrasive material, such as a plastic or rubbermaterial. The one or more induction coil assemblies 28 as shown in FIG.3 can include one or more induction coils 32 such as are generallycommercially available, or are custom-fabricated. Such suitableinduction coils 32 are made by, for example, Magneforce, Inc. of Warren,Ohio. The configuration of the coil 32 itself can be any suitableconfiguration best suited to direct the electromagnetic field generatedby electromagnet 33 in, for example, a broad or very focused pattern, asdesired. While the power output of each induction coil assembly 28 canbe the same or different, in a preferred configuration, each inductioncoil assembly 28 preferably has a power output of at least 1,000 W.

As the induction coil 32 is typically made of a metal material which canabrade the glass of the major outer surface 16 of the vehicle window 12when the two come into contact, it is desirable to prevent such damageto the glass, preferably by covering the portion of the induction coil32 which is proximate the major outer surface 16 of the vehicle window12 with one or more layers of a durable, but non-abrasive material 34when the vehicle window 12 is positioned on the assembly fixture 10.Such materials may include, for example, fiberglass, stainless steelmesh, suitable plastic and rubber materials, suitable silicone materialsand cotton cloth. Alternatively, the induction coils themselves may becoated with a suitable epoxy material.

A method of forming a vehicle window assembly utilizing the assemblyfixture 10 previously described will now be set out.

A vehicle window 12 having a major inner surface 14 with an electricallyconductive material preferably disposed on one or more predeterminedareas thereof, a major outer surface 16 and a peripheral edge portion 18therearound is placed on an assembly fixture 10 with the major outersurface 16 of the vehicle window 12 in intimate contact with one or moreresilient vertical gaseous positioning members 26 which are mounted on amajor component mounting surface 24, and proximate one or more inductioncoil assemblies 28 also mounted on the major component mounting surface24. Proximate the peripheral edge portion 18 of the vehicle window 12are preferably located one or more positioning members (60, 62) whichmay be fixed or movable, so as to precisely position the vehicle window12 on the assembly fixture 10 in both the x and y directions of theplane of the vehicle window 12. Preferably, the positioning members inthe x direction are fixed 60, and the positioning members 62 in the ydirection are movable, as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Once thevehicle window 12 is precisely positioned on the assembly fixture 10 inthe x and y directions, a negative gaseous pressure is preferablyapplied through one or more openings in the one or more resilientvertical gaseous positioning members 26 so as to draw down the vehiclewindow 12 in a z direction into even more intimate positioning contactwith the one or more resilient vertical gaseous positioning members 26.Further, the now precisely positioned vehicle window 12 has the one ormore portions thereof with the electrically conductive material 20preferably disposed thereon proximate one or more induction coilassemblies 28.

The one or more induction coil assemblies 28 are then energized so as toselectively direct the one or more electromagnetic fields generated bythe induction coil assemblies 28 into the glass comprising the vehiclewindow 12, causing heating of the one or more areas of the major innersurface 14 of the vehicle window 12 having the electrically conductivematerial 20 disposed thereon. To make the inventive method compatiblewith high-volume glass manufacturing operations, the electricallyconductive material 20 is preferably heated to a temperature of between100° F. and 600° F. in less than 20 sec, at a power output of ≧1,000 Wper induction coil assembly 28.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that the electromagnetic fieldsgenerated by the electromagnet 33 of the one or more induction coilassemblies 28 readily pass through the thickness of the dielectric glasssheet comprising the vehicle window 12, but impart the bulk of theirenergy to the item of hardware 8 to be bonded and the solder disposedthereon and to the electrically conductive material 20, such as aconductive ceramic frit on the major inner surface 14 of the vehiclewindow 12.

A further aspect of the invention relates to the one or more movableassembly aids 36 by which items of hardware 8 are moved into a positionproximate the heated electrically conductive material 20 disposed on themajor inner surface 14 of the vehicle window 12. The portion of theassembly aid 36 in which the one or more items of hardware 8 is disposedis referred to herein as a hardware holding member 46, which ispreferably made from a dielectric material, such as a resin or otherpolymeric material. Preferably, recesses 52 are formed in the hardwareholding member 46 to hold the one or more items of hardware 8 inpreparation for bonding such items of hardware 8 to the vehicle window12. In a preferred configuration, a portion of the recess 52 extendsthrough the thickness of the material of the hardware holding member 8,which extended recess 52 may be connected to a source of positive and/ornegative gaseous pressure 53. Application of negative gaseous pressurecan assist in positively retaining the items(s) of hardware 8 in thehardware holding member 46, while application of positive gaseouspressure may be used to discharge the one or more items of hardware 8from the hardware holding member 46.

As an alternative to utilizing positive gaseous pressure to dischargeitems of hardware 8 from the hardware holding member 46, it may bedesirable to utilize a mechanical means 68 to push the items of hardware8 from the one or more recesses 52 in the one or more hardware holdingmembers 46. Such mechanical means 68 may include a cylinder having anextendable anterior member 70 aligned with the one or more extendedrecesses 52 in the hardware holding members 46. Such cylinders may be,for example, a pneumatic or a hydraulic cylinder. Activation of thecylinder causing the extendable anterior member 70 to extend into therecess 52 will then discharge the item of hardware 8 in the recess 52for purposes of causing such item of hardware 8 to bondingly contact themajor inner surface of the vehicle window 12 upon which the electricallyconductive material 20 has been disposed. Mechanical means can also beutilized to retain the item(s) of hardware 8 in the hardware holdingmember 46.

The movable assembly aid 36, of which the hardware holding member 46 isa component, is activated so as to cause, by any suitable means, thehardware holding member 46 to move to a position proximate the one ormore portions of the major inner surface 14 of the vehicle window 12 onwhich the electrically conductive material 20 is preferably disposed andwhich is heated by the one or more induction coil assemblies 28. Thesubject portions of the major inner surface 14 of the vehicle window 12and/or the items of hardware 8 are heated to a temperature sufficient tomelt the solder preferably disposed on the one or more items of hardware8.

In a preferred configuration, the hardware holding member 46 is attachedto a first end 48 of one or more support arms 44. A second end 42 of theone or more support arms 44 is connected to a rotatable shaft 40. Therotatable shaft 40 also extends through one or more bearing mounts 38 orlike structure which are mounted to the major component mounting surface24 of the assembly fixture 10. One end of the rotatable shaft 40 isconnected to a motor 54. When the shaft 40 rotates, the assembly aid 36,in particular the hardware holding member or members 46, is caused tomove, preferably in an arc-like manner, for example, an arc of up toabout 180°, so as to position the hardware holding member 46 proximatethe major inner surface 14 of the vehicle window 12. The items ofhardware 8 are then discharged from the hardware holding member 46 aspreviously described herein.

The induction coil assemblies 28 are de-energized so as to allow thevehicle window 12 and the solder to cool, and the one or more items ofhardware 8 to bond to the major inner surface 14 of the vehicle window12. At an appropriate time, the negative gaseous pressure appliedthrough the one or more resilient vertical gaseous positioning members26 is discontinued, and the finished vehicle window assembly is removedfrom the assembly fixture 10.

When made by the method described, the inventors have found that thebonded area between the item of hardware 8 and the heated portion of thevehicle window 12 is significantly increased over known methods, forexample, the bonded area is >50%, preferably >90%, of the total possiblebonding area as “wetting out” of the solder is improved. It has alsobeen found that wear on components such as the induction coil assemblies28 and on the assembly aids 36 is reduced from known methods.Additionally, solder does not build up on the induction coil assemblies28, as they are on the opposite side of the vehicle window 12 from theassembly aids 36.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the presentinvention has been described in what is considered to represent itspreferred embodiments. However, it should be noted that the inventioncan be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated anddescribed without departing from its spirit or scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of forming a vehicle window assemblycomprising: providing a vehicle window having a major inner surface withan electrically conductive material disposed on at least a predeterminedarea thereof, a major outer surface and a peripheral edge portiontherearound; placing the vehicle window on an assembly fixture havingone or more induction coil assemblies and one or more movable assemblyaids mounted on the assembly fixture, wherein the major outer surface ofthe vehicle window faces the assembly aid; disposing one or more itemsof hardware having a predetermined amount of solder thereon, in the oneor more movable assembly aids; energizing the one or more induction coilassemblies proximate the major outer surface of the vehicle window toselectively direct one or more electromagnetic fields through thevehicle window causing heating of the one or more areas of the majorinner surface of the vehicle window upon which the electricallyconductive material is disposed to a temperature sufficient to liquefythe solder on the one or more items of hardware; and moving the one ormore assembly aids into a position proximate the one or more heatedareas of the major inner surface of the vehicle window and causing oneor more items of hardware in the one or more assembly aids to move intobonding contact with the one or more heated areas of the major innersurface of the vehicle window.
 2. The method defined in claim 1, whereinthe one or more assembly aids is moved proximate the vehicle window by arotating assembly in an arc-like manner.
 3. The method defined in claim1, wherein the electrically conductive material is heated to atemperature of between 100° F. and 600° F.
 4. The method defined inclaim 3, wherein the electrically conductive material is heated to thedesired temperature in less than 20 sec at a power output of >1000 W perinduction coil assembly.
 5. A method of forming a vehicle windowassembly comprising: providing a vehicle window having a major innersurface with an electrically conductive material disposed on one or morepredetermined areas thereof, a major outer surface, and a peripheraledge portion; placing the vehicle window on an assembly fixturecomprising a major component mounting surface, having at least thefollowing components mounted thereon: one or more resilient verticalgaseous positioning members; one or more induction coil assemblies; oneor more fixed or movable x-y positioning members, and one or moremovable assembly aids having as a component thereof, one or morehardware holding members, each hardware holding member having one ormore items of hardware disposed therein, each item of hardware having apredetermined amount of solder disposed thereon, wherein the major outersurface of the vehicle window faces the major component mounting surfaceof the assembly fixture; activating the one or more x-y positioningmembers to properly position the vehicle window on the assembly fixturein an x-y plane; applying a negative gaseous pressure through the one ormore resilient vertical gaseous positioning members to draw the majorouter surface of the vehicle window into intimate contact with aresilient portion of the one or more resilient vertical gaseouspositioning members through movement in a z direction and proximate, butnot in intimate contact with, the one or more induction coil assemblies;energizing the one or more induction coil assemblies proximate the majorouter surface of the vehicle window to selectively direct one or moreelectromagnetic fields into the vehicle window, causing heating of themajor inner surface of the vehicle window particularly in the one ormore predetermined areas thereof having the electrically conductivematerial disposed thereon, wherein the electrically conductive materialis heated to a temperature of between 100° F. and 600° F. in less than20 sec at a power output of >1000 W per induction coil assembly;activating the one or more assembly aids to move the one or morehardware holding members into a position proximate the one or moreheated areas of the major inner surface of the vehicle window;discharging the one or more items of hardware from the one or morehardware holding members so that the one or more items of hardware comeinto bonding contact with the one or more predetermined areas of themajor inner surface having the electrically conductive material disposedthereon, the major inner surface of the vehicle window and/or the itemof hardware being heated to a temperature sufficient to melt the solderdisposed on the one or more items of hardware, wherein the bonded areabetween the item of hardware and the heated portion of the vehiclewindow is >50% of the total possible bonding area; de-energizing the oneor more induction coil assemblies to allow the vehicle window to cooland the one or more items of hardware to bond to the major inner surfaceof the vehicle window; discontinuing the negative gaseous pressureapplied through the one or more resilient vertical gaseous positioningmembers; and removing the vehicle window with one or more items ofhardware bonded to the major inner surface thereof from the assemblyfixture.
 6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein the electricallyconductive material comprises a ceramic frit material.
 7. The methoddefined in claim 5, wherein the one or more hardware holding members areattached to a first end of one or more support arms.
 8. The methoddefined in claim 7, wherein a second end of the one or more support armsis connected to a rotatable shaft.
 9. The method defined in claim 8,wherein the shaft is rotated thus causing the attached assembly aid tomove in an arc-like fashion, the arc being up to about 180°, so as toposition the hardware holding member proximate the major inner surfaceof the vehicle window.
 10. The method defined in claim 5, wherein one ormore recesses for holding items of hardware are formed in the hardwareholding member.
 11. The method defined in claim 10, wherein at least aportion of the one or more recesses extends through the material of theassembly aid to form an opening therein.
 12. The method defined in claim11, wherein at least one pneumatic cylinder having an extendableanterior member is aligned with the one or more openings in the assemblyaid.
 13. The method defined in claim 12, wherein the anterior member ofthe at least one pneumatic cylinder is activated so as to extend throughthe opening in the assembly aid and contacts an item of hardwaredisposed in the at least one recess in the assembly aid, causing theitem of hardware to be discharged from the assembly aid and to come intobonding contact with the heated major inner surface of the vehiclewindow.
 14. An assembly fixture for forming a vehicle window assemblycomprising: a major component mounting surface having at least thefollowing components mounted thereon: one or more resilient verticalgaseous positioning members located so as to support a vehicle window apredetermined distance above the major component mounting surface,wherein the resilient vertical positioning member is connected to asource of positive and negative gaseous pressure; one or more inductioncoil assemblies comprising: a base member mounted to the major componentmounting surface; one or more induction coils mounted on the base memberand extending a predetermined vertical distance above the base member;at least one non-abrasive material covering the portion of the inductioncoil which is proximate a major outer surface of the vehicle window,when such vehicle window is placed on the assembly fixture; one or morefixed or movable x-y positioning members; one or more assembly aidscomprising: a base plate mounted to the major component mountingsurface; at least one bearing mount attached to the base plate arotatable shaft extending through the at least one bearing mount; therotatable shaft also extending through a second end of at least onesupport arm; at least one hardware holding member attached to a firstend of the at least one support arm; one or more hardware retentionrecesses formed in the hardware holding member; one or more openingsextending through the hardware retention recess and being connected to asource of positive and negative gaseous pressure; the rotatable shaftconnected to a motor, wherein the operation of the components of theassembly fixture is controlled by one or more electronic controllers,and the one or more electronic controllers are connected to a source ofelectric power.
 15. The assembly fixture defined in claim 14, whereinthe assembly aid comprises at least one pneumatic cylinder having anextendable anterior member is aligned with the one or more openings inthe hardware retention recess.
 16. The assembly fixture defined in claim14, wherein the assembly aid comprises at least one hydraulic cylinderhaving an extendable anterior member is aligned with the one or moreopenings in the hardware retention recess.
 17. The assembly fixturedefined in claim 14, wherein the major component mounting surfacecomprises a metal plate.
 18. The assembly fixture defined in claim 14,wherein the one or more induction coil assemblies each have a poweroutput >1000 W.
 19. The assembly fixture defined in claim 18, whereinthe power output of the induction coil assembly is capable of beingselectively directed into an area of the substrate >10 mm².
 20. Theassembly fixture defined in claim 19, wherein the induction coilassembly is capable of heating the chosen area of the substrate to atemperature up to 600° F. in less than 20 sec.